Highly Commended in the Best Archaeological Book category of the 2008 British Archaeological Awards. Wall paintings are a unique art form, complementing, and yet distinctly separate from, other religious imagery in churches. Unlike carvings, or stained glass windows, their support was the structure itself, with the artist's `canvas' the very stone and plaster of the church. They were also monumental, often larger than life-size images for public audiences. Notwithstanding their dissimilarity from other religious art, wall paintings were also an integral part of church interiors, enhancing devotional imagery and inspiring faith and commitment in their own right, and providing an artistic setting for the church's sacred rituals and public ceremonies. This book brings together, often for the first time, many of the very best surviving examples of medieval church wall paintings. Using new technologies and many previously untried techniques, it allows us to visualize these images as the artists originally intended. The plates are accompanied by an authoritative and scholarly text, bringing the imagery and iconography of the medieval church vividly to life.BR> ROGER ROSEWELL was educated at St Edmund Hall, Oxford University. A former journalist, he is a Director of a private European art foundation and the news editor of the online stained glass magazine, VIDIMUS.
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A visual treat that means to entertain as well as inform, covering in six chapters the history, subjects, patrons and painters, method of production, interpretation, and history from the Reformation onwards. YEAR'S WORK IN ENGLISH STUDIES(Succeeds) in its own brief of doing what no other book has done - present a textual and pictorial survey, with wonderful colour photographs, of a truly large number of surviving wall paintings. PARERGONNo reader can fail to find the photographs wholly illuminating. CORNERSTONEHow welcome the publication of this book is! (...) It is genuinely exciting to turn the book's pages and to see these vigorous, relatively unknown designs. (...) the effort and ingenuity that has gone into presenting and synthesizing this material makes the book extremely valuable. THE MEDIEVAL REVIEWRosewell has done a service to readers, learned and unlearned, by gathering these examples together. TLSA well-written and handsomely presented book, certain to appeal to a wide readership. (...) The great strength of the book is in its wonderful colour pictures: of both familiar and unexpected subjects, and usually of higher quality than published before. BBC HISTORY MAGAZINEA splendid book (...) Mr Rosewell knows what he is talking about, and explains how the paintings were made, what they mean, who paid for them, and how they've fared since. CHRISTOPHER HOWSE, DAILY TELEGRAPHMy Easter book of the year...a magisterial compendium of this most elusive English vernacular form. SIMON JENKINS, THE GUARDIANOne of the most interesting, useful and attractive books on the medieval church to appear for some time. (...) Well-written and accessible. BRITISH ARCHAEOLOGYA long-awaited and very comprehensive survey that will be of major interest to all those interested in exploring ancient parish churches. COUNTRY LIFE(A) hugely enjoyable book (...) Any church explorer will find... much to delight them. www.norfolkchurches.co.ukThis is a book to be enjoyed and made use of by every person interested in our church heritage. THE ROUND TOWER MAGAZINE(The author) has done us an invaluable service with his critical appreciation of this precious heritage. OXFORD TIMESWhat a wonderful contribution this book is! (T)he importance of this book is immense. REFERENCE REVIEWS
About the Author
Roger Rosewell was educated at St Edmund Hall, Oxford University. A former journalist, he is a Director of a private European art foundation and the news editor of the online stained glass magazine, "Vidmus".
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58 of 59 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Having read a number of works on medieval wall paintings I was looking forward to another detailed exploration of this overlooked artform. When I first opened this stunning book I realised that everything that had gone before paled into true insignificance. The images, over 250 of them, are all reproduced in full colour and are, quite simply, superb. In particular, the images of Ewelme and those from Eton College Chapel, neither of which have truly been seen before, are breathtaking. The author has also done something that no other author dealing with the subject has previously managed. Not only is the text well constructed and scholarly - it is also highly entertaining and evocative. Chapter six, in particular, brings alive the troubled sixteenth century reformation of the English parish church in a way that makes it both moving and saddening. One of the other great glories of this work, and it has many, is the fact that the whole work is accompanied by a gazetteer and subject guide. Invaluable for anyone wishing to actually see these medieval masterpieces in their original setting. This book will, without doubt, become THE reference work on the subject.
20 of 21 people found the following review helpful
By Carole Blake
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Inspired by the art, and the history, rather than the religious context, I was intrigued by the first amazon review of this book. When the book arrived the praise was confirmed. The quality and quantity of colour illustrations - some of subjects not photographed properly before - is astonishing in a book of this price. After practically inhaling the illustrations, I then took time to start reading. What might have been a dry academic survey, is instead a lively and informative text that sets the paintings in the context of their times, covering their history, subject matter, the patrons and painters, how the paintings were made, the symbols employed and their meanings,through to the terrible effects of the Reformation, and finally the rescue of those that we can see today. The book is inspiring: it makes me want to jump into my car and drive about the country visiting these churches that hold such a wealth of vernacular art. One small cavil: maps showing their locations would have made this a one-volume companion on such trips, but I own an atlas so that lack is easily remedied. And even my other constant companion for such drives, the great 'England's 1000 Greatest Churches' by Simon Jenkins is deficient in that area. This book is a marvel: a perfect marriage between text and illustration.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I feel that this has been a neglected subject;there was destruction of images in English Churches during the Reformation and it is tempting to believe that the destruction was complete, though specialists in the fields of ecclesistical history or art history would have had a different view. For the interested person who does not have the opportunity to range across the country this book provides a comprehensive survey. There does appear to be a renewal of interest in religious art, Icons of the Eastern Church in particular, and this volume sets the subject in a local context and reveals aspects of pre-reformation England which may have been ignored for too long. One would hope that it would have a wide appeal, attracting the attention of those interested in art, Christianity and history.
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Been more than happy with service - books selected have lived up to...
have rearched the books before purchase and have met all my expectations both in content and quality. Will continue to order
Published 1 month ago by eileen hawkes
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Wall Paintings in Churches around England..
This is a superb book with a lot of information a delightful photography..i was like a child in a sweet shop looking through this book well worth the purchase.. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Dawn
3.0 out of 5 stars
Politically correct but good information.
The level of explanation and accompanying colour pictures are excellent for the beginner in this field. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Mrs. RM KLEPPMANN
5.0 out of 5 stars
Medieval Wall Paintings
Comprehensive book regarding the making, history, subject, meaning, rescue and painters/patrons of English/Welsh church wall paintings in laymans English. Recommended.
Published 3 months ago by Ms. Lorraine S. Webb
2.0 out of 5 stars
Medieval wall paintings made even more obscure
This is a well written series of essays that group the author's wide knowledge of these works into thematic chapters. As such this would make a good radio script. Read more
Published 3 months ago by David Chandler
4.0 out of 5 stars
Viewing Medieval Wall Paintings
A useful guide to where you can find medieval wall paintings with a little bit of history of this art.
Published 22 months ago by V. Parker
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